elections of consequence will have to raise the top rate, so be it. but i am arguing that democrats get off their high horse about not even addressing entitlements. there has to be a give and take here. the american people have to sense the give and take and the american people have to sense that, and there is nothing remotely resembling that right now. >> here is the ironic thing. what if they get a deal? i don't think it is going to be a good deal. we will see a combination of tax hikes and end anding cuts. and spending cuts. both will take it out on the short run. they are not talking about anything that would promote growth. simsimplifying the tax code would promote growth. we are not doing anything. there is nothing in this plan to do that. sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for. a deal will be better than no deal. sometimes when you fall off a cliff it is not the fall that kills you, it is the sudden stop. if they bring a deal that is too drastic of a stop it is not going to be good for the economy either. >> the bottom line is they